NDRRMC on ‘Ompong’: No reported casualties

A Filipino government worker picks up pieces from a structure destroyed by strong winds from Typhoon Mangkhut as it barreled across Tuguegarao city in Cagayan province, northeastern Philippines on Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018. The typhoon slammed into the Philippines northeastern coast early Saturday, it’s ferocious winds and blinding rain ripping off tin roof sheets and knocking out power, and plowed through the agricultural region at the start of the onslaught. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said that as of Saturday morning, no casualties have been reported due to the onslaught of Typhoon “Ompong.”

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque who presided over the NDRRMC command conference  reported that while details remain sketchy, there are no reports of casualties yet.

“We confirm na as of now, as of this time, wala pa pong reported casualties,” Roque told reporters.

“Right now it’s still ongoing that’s why wala pa tayong complete picture, so ngayon, we’re getting reports on the ground as the typhoon is still there,” he added.

On the other hand, Roque said government’s quick response to the typhoon is attributed to the prepositioning of Cabinet officials who took charge in areas affected by the typhoon’s track.

“Definitely po, dahil the presence of the alter-ego of the President, I think, has been beneficial, dahil everyone as far as the line agencies of the government are directly reporting to them now,” he said.

“They are going around and ensuring that we are at our best as far as disaster preparedness is concerned,” he added.

As of the latest weather bulletin, “Ompong’s” eye is located in the vicinity of Kabugao in Apayao.  It has slightly weakened, now packing winds of 185 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 305 kph.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) meanwhile still warns of stormy weather, especially over areas under the tropical storm warning signal numbers 2, 3, and 4.  Storm surges of up to 6 meters may be still be experienced in the coastlines of Ilocos Norte, with the storm surges in the coastlines of Ilocos Sur, La Union, and Pangasinan reaching as high as 2 meters. /muf